03/01/2015VATICAN Pope: Let us not forget those who are suffering in Syria, Iraq and Venezuela; let us pray for them Francis comments the Gospel of the Transfiguration of Christ. "Jesus reveals himself as the perfect icon of the Father, the irradiation of his glory. It is the fulfilment of revelation. [. . .] Jesus' journey always leads us to happiness [. . .]. Love transfigures everything." The task he leaves for the disciples and the faithful is simple: "Listen to and follow the Saviour." After the Marian prayer, the Holy Father issued an appeal to the peoples of the Middle East, noting that "We are praying insistently for an end to the intolerable brutality of which they are victims." Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Terrible "news continue to come out of Syria
and Iraq, about acts of violence, abduction and harassment against Christians
and other groups. Let those involved in these situations be aware that we have
not forgotten them, that we are close to them, and that we are praying insistently
for an end to the intolerable brutality of which they are...
02/28/2015VATICAN Pope encourages the growth of cooperatives as an economic model that serves the common good Cooperatives are "enterprises based on the principle of solidarity and social relations," that act as "the lever that raises and develops the weakest part of local communities and civil society," and provide "new welfare solutions" that support, facilitate and even encourage family life, because even though money is "the dung of the devil," if it is well managed, "it can be used to promote the common good."
02/28/2015LEBANON Bishop Baïssari dies poor, but rich in Christian virtues by Fady Noun As a professor, as a priest and as a bishop, he trained a generation of Lebanese to love the Church, Lebanon and everything that is right.
02/27/2015SYRIA Despite their uncertain fate, Mgr Audo denies rumours that 15 Christians have been killed The Chaldean Archbishop of Aleppo, who contacted the vicar in Al-Hasakah, denies reports that the Islamic State group executed hostages. The Apostolic Nuncio to Damascus renews his call for caution "because it is difficult to have accurate information." The fate and number of kidnapped Christians by jihadists remain uncertain.
02/27/2015ISRAEL Arson attack against Greek Orthodox seminary in Jerusalem Jewish extremists are the main suspects. Disparaging phrases about Jesus were found on the building's walls, some identical to graffiti found on a mosque set on fire a few days ago. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin expresses his sadness at the incident, whilst Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat called it "deplorable".
02/26/2015SYRIA IS holding more than 250 Christians, for vicar to Aleppo, pope's prayers are a source of courage Pope Francis is closely monitoring the situation in Syria and praying for the Christian minority. For Mgr Georges Abou Khazen, the pope's closeness is a source "of great consolation and help." The road to peace "is long, but the only one possible." At least 5,000 Christians fled from the Islamists. The UN Security Council condemns the abductions.
02/26/2015EGYPT - LIBYA - ISLAM The pain of the families of the 21 beheaded Egyptian martyrs, praise for Egypt's offensive in Libya by André Azzam This is the story of the last conversations the families had with the 21 Egyptian Copts killed by Islamic State militants. Some of them were planning to go home, fearing tensions and growing extremist violence. Family members express regret that the prime minister and village authorities did not visit.
02/25/2015EGYPT As Egypt's tourist sector takes a hit, few people take part in the ceremony honouring Ramses II by André Azzam Twice a year, a ceremony is held for the pharaoh. The 2011 revolution sank the tourist sector with revenues dropping last year by US$ 385 million. A group of 500 disabled people take part in the overnight celebration, courtesy of the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports.
02/25/2015SYRIA IS abducts 150 Christians, rapes and kills women, a "tragic situation" for vicar to Aleppo A steady stream of horrific stories is coming out of jihadist-held areas. Terrorists hold hundreds of Christians, including seniors and children. For apostolic nuncio to Damascus, "Christians feel abandoned". There is "blood everywhere" and everyone is suffering. He believes that the war on terrorism is pointless but oil, "financial and military supplies" should be cut off.
02/25/2015ISRAEL - PALESTINE Bethlehem, Israeli extremists torch and profane mosque The latest act of vandalism committed by young settlers against Muslims (and Christians) according to the logic of the "price tag", the "price to pay for the land occupied”. Graffiti in Hebrew on the walls of the place of worship. The police open an investigation. New details about the death yesterday of young Palestinian: according to a coroner it was an "execution".
02/24/2015EGYPT - ISLAM What Tayeb and Sisi said is big step towards a revolution in Islam by Samir Khalil Samir The grand imam of Al-Azhar slammed literalist interpretations of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, as fundamentalists and Islamic terrorists do. He supports the urgent need for Islam's reform, especially in terms of teaching lay people and clerics. He also calls for an end to mutual excommunication (takfir) between Sunnis and Shias. Egyptian President al-Sisi chose to fight the Islamic state group after it beheaded 21 Coptic Christians, whom he called "Egyptian citizens" with full rights.
02/24/2015SYRIA IS attacks Christian villages in northeast Syria, kidnaps scores of people Sources in the Apostolic Nunciature told AsiaNews that they "were checking the reports". Scores of IS pick-ups flying the group's black flag raided villages, destroyed churches, and abducted men, women and children. IS wants to exchange civilian hostages for their fighters held by Kurdish troops.
02/24/2015ISRAEL - PALESTINE Bethlehem: Israeli army shoots at demonstrators, a young Palestinian dies The victim is 19 year old Jihad al-Jafari, supporter of Fatah movement. The incident occurred in the Dheisheh refugee camp, not far from the city. The soldiers were attacked with stones and responded by opening fire on the demonstrators. Israeli army spokesman confirms: "Our soldiers felt threatened and opened fire".
02/24/2015EGYPT - ISLAM An Egypt in mourning prays for its martyrs beheaded in Libya by André Azzam Patriarch Tawadros has enrolled the names of the 21 young men killed by the Islamic State in the Coptic Synaxis, a sort of canonization. Their memory will be celebrated every year on 15 February. Even for the State authorities, the 21 beheaded men are martyrs. A church will be built in the village where most of the victims hailed from. The strong solidarity of Muslims.
02/23/2015SAUDI ARABIA - ISLAM For head of Al-Azhar, religious education reform is needed to stop Islamic extremism For Ahmed al-Tayeb, it is urgent to come up with new educational programmes to avoid "corrupt interpretations" of the Qur'an and Sunnah. Islamic terrorism undermines the unity of the Muslim world. He blames Mideast tensions on a "new global colonialism allied to world Zionism". a speech by the Saudi king is read at the conference.
